College Football Conference Championships Set After Dramatic Rivalry Weekend

The college football conference championship matchups are now official. A chaotic rivalry week finalized the slate for next weekend’s games. These championships will decide the final College Football Playoff field. The action was intense from the Egg Bowl to the Iron Bowl.

According to ESPN, several spots were clinched in dramatic fashion on Saturday. Key upsets and close finishes determined which teams advanced. The stage is now set for championship weekend across the FBS.

Major Conference Matchups Finalized

The SEC Championship will feature Georgia versus Alabama. Georgia clinched its spot after Texas A&M’s loss to Texas. Alabama survived a tough Iron Bowl against Auburn to advance.

The Big Ten Championship is set with Indiana facing Ohio State. Both teams enter undefeated in conference play. The winner is expected to secure a top playoff seed. This marks a historic matchup for the conference.

In the ACC, Virginia will battle Duke for the title. Virginia secured its place by defeating Virginia Tech. Duke advanced after SMU’s late loss to Cal eliminated the Mustangs.

Playoff Implications and Surprise Contenders

Several championship games carry major playoff consequences. The SEC and Big Ten winners are virtual locks for the CFP. The ACC and American Athletic Conference champions could also earn bids.

The American championship features Tulane and North Texas. The winner might secure a playoff spot as a highly-ranked conference champion. This adds significant stakes to Friday night’s game in New Orleans.

James Madison remains a playoff longshot from the Sun Belt. The Dukes host Troy with an outside chance at consideration. Their undefeated conference record keeps hope alive.

Dropping this nugget your way

When are the conference championship games?

The games run from Friday, December 5 through Saturday, December 6. Most major conference championships occur on Saturday. The action starts with the Sun Belt and American games on Friday night.

Which championships have playoff implications?

The SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and American conferences all have playoff implications. The winners of the SEC and Big Ten are almost guaranteed playoff spots. The ACC and American champions could potentially earn bids as well.

What is the most surprising championship matchup?

Duke reaching the ACC championship is perhaps the biggest surprise. The Blue Devils finished 7-5 but advanced via tiebreakers. Their appearance marks a remarkable turnaround for the program.

How does the Mountain West decide its participants?

The Mountain West uses computer metrics to break four-team ties. The conference employs a composite of SP+, ESPN SOR, KPI and SportSource rankings. This unusual situation resulted from New Mexico’s upset of San Diego State.

Which teams are playoff locks regardless of championship results?

Georgia and Indiana are considered safe for the playoff regardless of championship outcomes. Both teams have strong resumes that should withstand a loss. Ohio State would also likely remain in contention with a close defeat.